Kedah BN state liaison chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah told candidates that this time around, the ruling coalition needs to win all 15 parliamentary seats, compared to the 10 parliamentary seats won in the last general election.

He also dismissed Dr Mahathir’s influence and popularity in Kedah, saying that Malaysia’s former prime minister used to stand in Kubang Pasu but has now opted instead to contest Langkawi.

“Tun Dr Mahathir used to contest Kubang Pasu and now the people in Langkawi are wondering why he is heading there instead of contesting Kubang Pasu. Maybe the people in Kubang Pasu don’t like him.

“I believe that the Langkawi voters will make the right decision and I hope the majority will increase to (Datuk) Nawawi,” Ahmad Bashah said during a press conference after the announcement.

In GE13, 56-year-old Nawawi defeated PKR candidate Ahmad Abdullah in a straight fight with a majority of 11,861 votes.

When asked to comment on his GE14 opponent, Nawawi said he believed Dr Mahathir is a leader who is past his prime and will not be able to replicate the kind of support he had when he was PM.

“Tun Dr Mahathir has a sharp mind but I think now is no longer his time. He is approaching 100 years of age and of course, he will experience physical and mental limitations.

“There might come a time when he will lack the energy to work 24 hours, unlike us who are younger,” he told reporters.

“I have the utmost respect for Tun Dr Mahathir but I believe the people in Langkawi will choose someone who is capable of working day and night for them, and who has worked day and night for them.”

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) deputy president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir will be contesting both the Jerlun parliamentary seat and the Jitra state assembly seat.

He will face Umno’s Datuk Othman Aziz in Jerlun and Datuk Aminudin Omar in Jitra.